Glycidyl methacrylate and ethylhexyl acrylate based polyHIPE monoliths: Morphological, mechanical and chromatographic properties

Using water-in-oil emulsions with a high volume share of aqueous (droplet) phase as precursors (High Internal Phase Emulsions; HIPEs), highly porous polymers (polyHIPEs) were prepared from glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and ethylhexyl acrylate (EHA), their morphology investigated and mechanical and chromatographic characteristics evaluated. All polyHIPE monoliths had open cellular porous morphology with primary pores (cavities) between 4.8 μm and 26.2 μm and secondary level of interconnecting pores. Introduction of EHA into the oil phase and consequently into the polymer matrix of polyHIPEs had a significant effect on the mechanical properties; both tensile strength and elasticity were increased. On the other hand, chromatographic properties, such as protein binding capacity and back pressure, did not dramatically change.